Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title RADIATION THERAPY APPLICATIONS
Code PHYS384
Coordinator Dr LJ Harkness-Brennan
Physics
Laura.Harkness@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Aims

  • To introduce the physics principles of radiation therapy and treatment planning.
  • To understand interactions of radiation with biological materials and detectors.
  • To understand the need for modelling in radiobiological applications.
  • To obtain a knowledge of electron transport.
  • To construct a simple model of a radiation therapy application.

Learning Outcomes

to understand the principles of radiotherapy and treatment planning

to develop a knowledge of radiation transport and the interaction of radiation with biological tissue

to understand the need for Monte Carlo modelling and beam modelling

to have a knowledge of electron transport

to have a basic understanding of radiobiology

to have experience developing a simple radiotherapy treatment plan


Syllabus

Principles of radiotherapy
  • Review of essential interaction physics, review of relevant basic probability theory, 
  • Introduction to radiation transport and the Boltzmann equation.
  • Monte Carlo Methods, requirements for random numbers, random number generation, random sampling methods, scoring and tallies, error estimation, variance reduction techniques.
  • Electron transport including optimisation.

External beam radiotherapy
  • Outline of Radiotherapy modelling components
  • Clinical beam characteristics
  • Beam modeling for Radiotherapy treatment planning, lookup table approaches, convolution/pencil beam approaches.
  • Treatment planning

Dosimetry and Radiobiology
  • Simple radiobiological principles of radiotherap 
  • Dosimetry in healthcare applications
  • General introduction to biological modelling, fractionation and treatment during effects, volume effects. Statistical techniques of biological model data fitting, data fits using real clinical normal tissue data, using model prediction data.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - Lecture

Tutorial - Tutorial

Other - Support for Treatment Planning Practical


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 28
Lecture
  4
Tutorial
    20
Support for Treatment Planning Practical
52
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 98
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Seen Written Exam  3 hours  80  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Written Exam There is no reassessment opportunity, August resit for PGT students only. Year 3 and 4 students resit at the next normal opportunity. Notes (applying to all assessments) Planning and Running of a Model of a Radiotherapy Application. This work is not marked anonymously. Written Examination  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Coursework    20  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Treatment planning practical There is no reassessment opportunity, Only in exceptional circumstances 

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: